Disclaimer: I do Not own Avatar the last Air-bender or it's associated properties.
The Gaang had been traveling for the last couple days making their way to the Earth Kingdom city of Gaoling.
Currently, they were flying over a huge swamp like area that extended for miles around and while they were flying Aang started to look at the landscape from his spot on Appa's head.
As he stared, he somehow felt compelled to start heading downwards and sure enough he started to unconsciously make Appa fly down to the swamp below.
Dijin noticing they were losing altitude quickly shouted at Aang saying "Aang, what in the spirits are you doing! Why are we going down?"
Aang quickly snapped out of whatever trance he was in after hearing Dijin and said "Sorry, I didn't even notice."
Dijin still concerned they were going down said "Are you noticing now?"
Katara walked to the front of the saddle saying "Is something wrong?"
Aang looked back at the swamp before saying "I know this is gonna sound weird, but I think the swamp is... calling to me."
Sokka just sarcastically replied "Is it also telling you where we can get something to eat?"
Aang just looked at Sokka weirdly saying "What? No. I think it wants us to land there."
Dijin spoke up again saying "Well, there are two things wrong with that. One, there really isn't anyplace to land and two, our main concern is finding you an Earth-bending teacher not exploring a swamp."
Aang just looked at his friends unsure saying "I don't know. Bumi said to learn Earth-bending, I would have to wait and listen to the earth. And now I'm actually hearing it. Do you really want me to ignore it?"
Katara just looked down at the swamp saying "I kind of agree with Dijin, we have bigger things to worry about than a swamp."
Sokka then spoke up saying "To be honest that place is giving me some serious bad vibes I think we should stay clear of it."
After hearing everyone decide against the swamp Aang sighed before saying "Okay, since everyone feels so strongly about this." Aang then looked at the swamp one last time before saying "Bye swamp." Aang then cracked Appa's reigns saying "Yip, yip." making him climb higher in the sky.
However, as soon as they started to fly upwards a strange thing happened. A tornado appeared out of nowhere heading straight for Appa and the Gaang.
Dijin hearing the wind pick up turned around and his eyes widened as the twister came rushing at them. He then screamed at Aang saying "Aang, get us out of here!"
Aang quickly turned around and saw the tornado but before he could react it sucked them all inside.
The Gaang screamed in terror as they were thrown all over place from within the twister. Aang quickly went to grab Katara while Katara went to grab Dijin the group trying to form a chain to stay together.
However, the winds were too strong and soon all four of them were pulled away from each other and sent flying to different parts of the swamp below.
xxLine Breakxx
The Swamp: Dijin's landing spot
Dijin woke up with a start and quickly sat up realizing he had been knocked unconscious from the fall. He groaned in pain as he stood up and held his head while getting a look at his surroundings.
All around him were trees of varying sizes with vines growing all over them, the ground all around him was moist and muddy, every so often he would see large puddles of water, and there was even a small lake. Dijin looked up and saw the sun shining through the trees signifying it was still daytime.
However, before Dijin could think on where he was further, he suddenly heard the sound of a girl laughing.
Dijin started to look around and his gaze fell on what looked like a girl sitting on a log with her feet in the water a few yards away.
Dijin couldn't really see her due to har far she was so he shouted "Hello? Excuse me, but can you help? I'm trying to find my friends."
The girl just laughed again before taking her feet out of the water and started to run.
Dijin seeing his only chance at finding his friends take off running gave chase trying not to lose the girl.
As they ran the girl would just continue to laugh and when Dijin would get close enough she would just increase her speed.
Finally, after about 10 minutes of running the girl ran around a large tree trunk with Dijin following her but as soon as he rounded on the tree the girl was gone.
He looked left, right, and up but couldn't find the girl anywhere. he was just about to growl out in anger before he felt someone wrap their arms around his shoulders from behind.
He quickly turned his head and his eyes widened in surprise because behind him was the girl he was chasing. However, due to her position on his back he could only see her face and he blushed slightly after seeing it.
She had black hair that was styled in a short bouffant with her bangs covering part of her eyes, on top of her head was a green hairband that kept her hair together, she had storm grey eyes that shined with mischievousness, she had lightly tanned skin that looked smooth, and her lips seemed set in a permanent smile.
The girl just smiled at Dijin before leaning in close so she was next to his ear and whispered "I'm waiting for you." she then kissed Dijin fully on the cheek making his entire face turn red before he quickly turned around. But as soon as he moved, he felt the weight of the girl vanish and he looked around noticing she nowhere to be found.
Dijin just placed his hand on his cheek where the girl kissed him and said "What in the spirit's name was that about?"
Dijin just shook himself before Hardening his gaze and saying "Never mind that, gotta find the others." he then quickly ran through some brush and went off to find his friends.
The Swamp: Katara's landing spot
Katara had landed in a waterier part of the swamp and was currently walking through shin deep water as she searched for the others. She held a hand to her face shouting "Aang? Sokka? Dijin? Can you hear me?"
Suddenly Katara saw someone in the distance and started walking forward saying "Hello? Hello. Can you help me?"
As Katara walked closer she saw the person apparently turned out to be female and then the woman started to turn around.
Katara stopped in her tracks as her eyes widened in shock. She then held her hands to cover her mouth while she said "Mom?"
There standing in front of her was Katara's supposedly dead mother. The woman who was standing just a few feet away basically looked like an older version of Katara with just having longer hair that was spread out behind her back.
Katara's mother smiled at her and said "I'm so proud of you, my little Water-bender."
Katara smiled wide as tears left her eyes realizing the woman truly was her mother. Katara quickly ran into a sprint to reach her as she said "Mom! I can't believe it's really-"
However, as soon as she reached her mother the woman turned into a stump of a tree. Katara looked left and right trying to find out where her mother went before collapsing to her hands and knees. Katara then raised her head letting out a devastating wail of sorrow as she then slowly curled into a ball and started sobbing due to the cruel illusion that she just saw.
After crying and getting everything out of her system Katara wiped her eyes and hardened her gaze before saying "Okay. Enough being a baby. Time to find the others and get out of here." Katara then made her way through the water again determined more than ever to get back with the others and out of the swamp.
The Swamp: Sokka's landing spot
Sokka had landed in a part of the swamp that was filled with vines and was currently trying to make his way through the foliage using his knife. As Sokka cut at the vines he shouted for the others saying "Aang! Katara! Dijin!" Sokka's foot got caught on one of the vines and he stumbled slightly making him growl and say "Stupid swamp. Dumb, ugly vines." once he got his foot free, he walked into more vines tangling his arms as he said "You think you're so tough, huh?" Sokka was able to cut himself loose but he fell face first into the muddy water.
The water bubbled before he popped his face up and wiped it. However, as soon as he could see again, he had to rub his eyes because for a second he thought he saw Yue in her moon spirit form.
He looked again and saw she was gone so he shrugged his shoulders and stood up thinking it was him being hungry.
When he made to turn around, he was surprised to see Yue in her spirit form directly floating in his face with a frown as she said "You failed Sokka."
Sokka stared at Yue in shock before saying "What do you mean I-"
Yue cut him off saying "You didn't protect me." she started to float around him as her words echoed around him.
Sokka tried to defend himself saying "NO! I tried but you didn't give me a choice!"
Yue's frown just deepened as she shouted "Wrong! You could have stopped Zhao before he even touched the moon spirit but you let the Avatar choose your path!"
Sokka just closed his eyes tightly while holding his head saying "That's not true!"
Yue just continued to dig into Sokka saying "Admit it you never really cared about me! About anyone!"
Sokka fell to his Knees and screamed at the sky "I do care!" he then fell forward on his hands and knees as a few tears left his eyes as he whispered "I do care." he looked up again and saw Yue was gone and he was alone in the swamp again.
Sokka stood and looked around before thinking to himself "I don't know what just happened but I know one thing, I'm getting the fuck out of here."
Sokka then grabbed his knife and made his way over to a wall of vines and started cutting through them. However, once he cut through, he didn't notice there was a large dip below him and unwarily walked straight into it.
Sokka then let out a scream of surprise and went tumbling down into further parts of the swamp never knowing when he'd stop.
The Swamp: Aang's landing spot
Aang like Katara had landed in a waterier part of the swamp but with some small trees and stumps here and there.
Aang was walking in knee deep water as he shouted for the others saying "Katara! Appa! Sokka! Dijin!"
Aang stopped walking when he thought he saw a girl standing on a nearby hill with a pet Flying Boar. He walked a little closer to see her better and noticed she had black hair, she was wearing a white dress that went to her ankles, she wore a yellow shawl over her shoulders, she wore no shoes choosing to be bare-foot, and due to how far away she was he couldn't get a good view of her face.
Aang tried getting her attention by saying "Hello? Who are you? Can you help me?"
The girl just let out joyful laugh before turning around and running away her pet flying away as well.
Aang seeing his chance for help run away shouted "Hey! Come back!" Aang then followed where the girl went and looked around. He then heard the girl laugh again and saw she was in a tree now so he Air-bent himself up to where she was at but once again, she was gone.
Aang again heard her laugh this time from the grassy field below him and he quickly gave chase.
The girl then started leading Aang on a chase throughout the swamp until Aang broke through some brush and was now standing on a round piece of land that was near a hill.
Aang scratched his head and said "Where the heck did she go?" he didn't get to ponder long because suddenly Dijin came bursting out of the foliage in front Aang and said "Aang, there you are!" Dijin quickly looked around saying "You okay? Any sign of the others?"
Aang just replied "I'm fine and you're the only one I've found so f-"
Aang was suddenly cut off due to them hearing the sound of some screaming saying "Ahhhhgggh! For... spirit's... sake... how long... is this going... to continue..."
Aang and Dijin soon found out who was screaming as Sokka came tumbling down the hill that was nearby and headed straight for the two benders.
Dijin knowing what was about to happen said "Oh shi-" but he didn't get to finish as Sokka collided with the two sending the trio tumbling down another hill and further into the swamp.
The Swamp: Unknown location
Katara had been walking for a little while now with no sign of the others and came to a stop near a hill and some trees. Katara looked around and sighed saying "Spirit's, where are they?" Katara then made to walk again but grimaced feeling water in her shoes.
She then sat down on a nearby stump and began to empty her shoes when suddenly she heard the sounds of people screaming.
Katara looked up at the hill and her eyes widened in surprise seeing a tangled mess of limbs make their way down.
Soon the tangled mess came to a stop at her feet and she was surprised to find out that the tangled limbs was actually her brother and friends.
She quickly put her shoes back on and stood up saying "You guys! What are doing rolling around on the ground? I've been looking everywhere for you."
Sokka quickly untangled himself from the others saying "Rolling around? I've been fighting my way through this shitty swamp looking for you!"
Aang and Dijin untangled themselves before Aang said "I was chasing some girl before I ran into Dijin."
Katara looked at Aang asking "What girl?"
Aang just stood up saying "I don't know. I heard laughing and saw a girl in a fancy dress."
Sokka still upset about rolling down two hills said sarcastically "Well, maybe there's a tea party going on out here! Come on everyone grab a chair!"
Katara after hearing Aang saw someone looked down sadly before saying "I thought I saw mom."
They all looked at her shocked before Sokka said caringly "Look, you were probably just scared or hungry, and your mind was playing tricks on you. Mom is someone you think about a lot. Even I saw something out there."
Katara raised an eyebrow at that and said "What did you see?"
Sokka just turned around and looked away awkwardly before saying "I... I thought I saw Yue but I think about her all the time like you with mom and like I said before I was just hungry or something."
The three looked at Dijin expecting him to say something next. Dijin remembering what happened to him earlier quickly stood up with his whole face turning red before he said embarrassingly "I saw nothing and nothing happened to me!"
The others just gave him disbelieving looks before Katara said "Judging by your face I'd say otherwise but we have bigger things to worry about than your embarrassment."
Dijin let out an indigent "Hey!" before Aang spoke up saying "Whatever we all saw. All of our visions lead us back to each other."
Katara looked around them and said "Where are we anyway? in the middle of a swamp?"
Aang just looked around saying "Yeah..."
Dijin spoke next saying "Wherever we are we need to find a way out and the way we do that is by finding Appa and Momo."
Aang's eyes widened remembering his best friend was missing before he said "Come on guy's, we got to find them." Aang then started walking through the murky swamp shouting "Appa! Momo!" The others followed him also shouting for their animal friends.
xxLine Breakxx
The Gaang kept searching and was currently walking through waist deep water as they looked for Appa and Momo.
Aang was leading the group and while they walked Katara noticed something on her brothers' arm and pointed at it saying "Sokka, you've got an elbow-leech on you."
Sokka started to panic screaming "Where?! Where?!" Sokka then started to flail around while his sister gave him a deadpan expression saying "Where do you think?"
Sokka realizing what she meant raised his left elbow revealing a leech the size of his entire arm hanging off it.
Sokka quickly yanked the leech off screaming "Why do things keep attaching to me!"
The group just ignored Sokka's complaints and continued to look for Appa and Momo by pushing foliage away.
Sokka frustrated at their progress drew his knife and said "Time to speed things up." he then started to cut away at the tree branches and vines blocking their path.
Aang watched Sokka cut away at the swamp and he felt like the swamp was in pain every time Sokka cut.
Aang then held a hand out saying "Sokka, maybe we should be a little nicer to the swamp."
Sokka just continued to cut the vines and said "Aang, these are just plants. Do you want me to say please and thank you as I swing my knife?"
Katara remembering what happened with the spirit and the burnt forest said "Maybe you should listen to Aang. something about this place feels...alive."
Sokka just looked at the two saying "I'm sure there are lots of things that are alive here and if we don't want to end up being eaten by them, I suggest we keep moving and find Appa."
The group looked at each other before nodding their heads in agreement and followed Sokka as he cut his way through the swamp.
After hours of searching their way through different parts of the swamp it had gotten dark out as the Gaang continued their trek.
The group had come across an area surrounded by large trees in which the roots had created a platform held up by more roots while water surrounded the whole thing.
Katara and Aang were screaming for their friends saying "Appa! Momo! Where are you guys!"
As the group approached the platform Sokka said "There's no way they can hear us plus it's so dark out right now we would never see them."
Dijin looked around and had to agree with Sokka and said "Sokka's right, let's make camp and continue in the morning."
The other two reluctantly sighed and shrugged their shoulders in acceptance before suddenly a gas pocket released some fumes making Katara gasp and say "What was that?"
Sokka seeing the gas pocket simply replied "Nothing, Just some swamp gas. Look, there's nothing supernatural going on here."
However, they were all suddenly frightened when a loud high-pitched shriek echoed throughout the area making them huddle together.
The group looked to their right and saw a little white fluffy bird but they were once again frightened when the bird let out the same high-pitched shriek from before.
The bird then flew away as Sokka timidly said "See, nothing supernatural going on here. But just in case let's build a fire." Sokka then quickly dashed to the side and started to chop away at the foliage again without a care.
Aang and Dijin both frowned at his actions before Aang said "Sokka, the longer we're here, the more I think you shouldn't be doing that."
Dijin spoke next saying "I agree with Aang, don't you remember what happened with Hei Bai? He got mad because people destroyed his forest."
Sokka just shrugged off their concerns first talking to Dijin saying "Yeah, sure. Hei Bai was an Issue back then but look around, do you see any spirits anywhere?" Sokka then looked at Aang saying "And how are we supposed to keep warm tonight and keep anything that might hurt us away without fire?"
The two just continued to frown but kept quiet since they didn't have a solid argument as Sokka kept chopping away.
After Sokka had gotten enough wood they made a small fire and got ready to settle in for the night.
As they sat around the fire Katara looked around them and said "Does anyone get the feeling we're being watched?"
Sokka just said "Pffft please, we're all alone out here." suddenly a swarm of mosquito's started to attack Sokka making him swing his club back and forth. But suddenly a pure white orb of light showed up in between the group before it spread out blinding them for second.
When the Gaang could see again they were surprised to find that their fire was out and now they were surround by hundreds of glowing blue eyes.
They quickly huddled together before Sokka once again timidly said "Except for these guys." The group then quickly got their fire going again before turning in for night never knowing what the morning had in store for them.
Dijin was the first to wake up the next morning and as he stood up to do his morning stretches he was able to notice the groups surroundings better. After looking around he started following the roots of the platform they were on and the more Dijin followed them the more his eyes widened before he was gasping in shock at what he was seeing.
He then shouted to wake the others saying "Guys! Wake up! You have to see this."
The others groaned at being woken up while Sokka complained saying "Why'd you wake us up Dijin? I was dreaming Yue was feeding me Moon Berries as we-"
Dijin cut him off saying "Shut up Sokka and look up."
Sokka frowned at being interrupted but looked nonetheless and his eyes widened along with Katara's and Aang's.
Their supposed campsite was actually the base of a giant tree that had to be at least 100 feet high if not higher. Its roots spread out through the entire area and the tree had thousands of branches with vines and leaves adorning them.
The group stared at the natural wonder in awe before Aang spoke up saying "This tree... I can feel something calling to me." his eyes widened in realization as he said "This is what was calling me here! This tree... it's alive somehow."
Dijin looked at the tree and said "This must be the heart of the swamp. Everything seems to originate from this area."
Sokka not believing any of it said sarcastically "Oh come on! A living tree that calls people? Next thing you'll tell me is this whole place is guarded by a spooky swamp monster!"
Then just as Sokka said that, a giant creature made of vines burst from the water and roared at the group.
The group stared at the creature in shock noticing it's whole body was made of vines being at least 30 feet tall but still having two large arms, for a head it simply had a piece of wood on it resembling an opera mask, and the creature had no legs choosing to slither with the vines on it's body.
Dijin got ready to fight along with the others before saying "Hey Sokka, how does your foot taste?"
The group then had to quickly separate as the creature slammed one of its massive arms down at them.
As everyone ran in separate directions the creature went after Sokka first sending it's vines after him to tangle him up and bring him close."
Aang seeing Sokka was in trouble but didn't have a clear shot to cut him loose and shouted "Dijin! Hold it still so I can get Sokka loose!"
Dijin ran forward through the water saying "Right!" Dijin got close to the beast and made a chopping motion using the mud in the water to create a couple earth spikes to pin the monster in place.
The creature just roared and swung at Dijin who dived and rolled out the way before quickly raising his fore arms up creating three more spikes and pining them inside the creature.
Aang now having a clear shot rotated his hands in a circle sending a blade of Air at the creature cutting off its arm that was holding Sokka.
The group was surprised however as the creature simply regrew its lost limb and swiped its new arm destroying Dijin's spikes. The creature then began to attack again sending one of its massive arms at Aang which knocked him high into the air and temporarily out of the fight.
Sokka who was now free was trying his best to do his part and chopped up any vines he saw. But as he chopped, he didn't notice the large shadow appear behind him before it was too late. Sokka turned around and screamed as the creature grabbed him again and tried to run away.
However, Katara created an ice wave-board and surfed the water while launching a blade of water that cut the creatures arm off again and freed her brother.
But once again the monster just regrew its lost arm and got ready to fight again as Aang rejoined them in the fighting.
Dijin realizing they were getting nowhere by just attacking the monster one at a time shouted "Aang! Katara! I'll hold it down again then you two take care of the rest!"
The two answered him saying "Got it!" before he went on the attack again running and raising his hands with his palms facing himself creating two large spikes that stabbed into the creature's side. He then dodge rolled to the left avoiding an arm before thrusting his fists forward creating four smaller spikes that stabbed into the beasts' stomach area. Dijin then ran and slid across the watery ground while thrusting his hands forward with his fingers splayed open creating three large spikes that stabbed into its other side.
Dijin quickly ran to the side to get out of the way after that as he shouted "Now, you two!"
With the creature fully immobilized Katara and Aang quickly went on the offensive both making windmill motions with their arms sending wide bladed arcs of Water and Air at the monster.
The elemental blades tore into the creature like a hot knife through butter and Sokka quickly noticed something in the gaps of the vines. His eyes then widened when he actually saw a person in the creature and shouted "There's someone inside! They're controlling the vines. keep it up!"
The two didn't stop the attack but soon the man-controlled creature retaliated by swinging what was left of its arm at them making the attack cease for a second.
The vines then went after Katara tangling her up but Aang quickly got her out by pushing his hands forward sending a blast of air at the man-creature making it let go while also making the bundle of vines stumble a bit.
Aang then angrily said "Enough! Why did you call me here if you just wanted to kill us?"
Suddenly an elderly voice came from the vines saying "Wait." the vines then fell away revealing an elderly man in his early fifties, he had grey hair that was wild and spread out all over his head, he had a short grey beard with a faded mustache, he had green eyes, and the man wore no clothing save for a handmade leaf loincloth.
The man then held his hands up saying "I didn't call you here."
The group looked at the man strangely before Aang said "We were flying over, and I heard something calling to me, telling me to land."
Sokka then spoke up saying "He's the Avatar. Stuff like that happens a lot."
The man completely dropped his guard while saying "The Avatar? Please, come with me." the man then motioned for them to follow as he started walking up the roots of the large tree and into its branches.
The group looked at each other for second before quickly following the strange man.
The man led them to the center of the trunk of the tree and started to bend some vines to make seats for everyone.
As he worked Katara asked "So, who are you then?"
The man just replied "I protect the swamp from folks that want to hurt it, like your knife chopping friend there." the man then pointed at Sokka making him scratch his neck awkwardly.
Sokka then said "Hey, at least now we know nothing magical or crazy was going on. It was just a guy defending his home."
The man took a seat on one the vines as did the others before he said "Oh, the swamp is a mystical place, all right. It's sacred. I even reached enlightenment right here at the Banyan grove tree. I heard it calling me, like you Avatar."
Dijin curious asked "I'm no stranger to things mystical but how is this tree so special?"
The man just smiled and said "This tree is special because the whole swamp is the tree."
Everyone eyes widened in shock before the man continued saying "You see, the swamp is simply the tree spread out over miles. Branches spread then sink and take root and then spread some more—one big, living organism, just like the entire world."
Aang looked at the tree before looking at the man and said "I get how the tree is one big thing, but the whole world?"
The man just shrugged his shoulders saying "Sure. You think your any different from me or your friends or this tree? If you listen hard enough, you can hear every living thing breathing together. You can feel everything growing. We are all living together even if most folks don't act like it. We all have the same roots, and we are all branches of the same tree."
Katara spoke up next saying "But we saw visions while we were in the swamp. What did they mean?"
The man replied "In the swamp, we see visions of people we've lost, people we loved, folks we think are gone. But the swamp tells us they're not. We're still connected to them. Time is an illusion, and so is death."
Aang curious about something asked "But what about my vision? It was someone I've never met."
The man just gave a cryptic answer saying "You're the Avatar. You tell me."
Aang looked down as he thought about it while saying out loud "Time is an illusion..." Aang then looked up saying "So, its someone I will meet."
The man simply nodded his head while Dijin thought to himself "If that's the case..." he then placed his hand on his cheek where he was kissed before as he continued his thought "Then I'm going to meet that girl sometime soon." after that he quickly put his hand down and focused on what was happening.
Sokka had stood up and was saying "Sorry to interrupt the lesson, but we still need to find Appa and Momo."
Aang got an idea after hearing the tree man talk and said "I think I know how to find them." Aang then knelt on the ground and placed his right hand on the tree before saying "Everything is connected." Aang then closed his eyes and took a deep breath before focusing on the tree and his two animal friends.
Aang's tattoos on his right hand began to glow suddenly and soon he was granted images of the different parts of the swamp. It didn't take him long to find his lost friends and sadly they were in a bit of trouble.
Aang saw that Appa and Momo were being chased by what appeared to be natives of the swamp and judging by their nets and spears they weren't looking to be friendly at all.
Aang quickly stood and said "Come on, we've gotta hurry. Follow me." Aang then took off down the tree the others following him along with their new companion.
xxLine Breakxx
Going down a river in a part of the swamp were some natives to the area who called the swamp home.
The natives were currently dragging poor Appa and Momo in net down the river in some boats that were crudely made by bending the water around them.
As the drifted down the river one of the Swamp-benders was singing a song saying 'Set my lines by the river bed... Caught ten fish and I killed'em dead... Cut'em and gut'em and I toss the heads in the water to keep them Cat-Gators fed.'
However, the Swamp-benders little trip was cut short as two pillars made of hardened mud appeared and knocked two boats into the air along with its riders.
The man who was just singing saw the damage and said "What in the Possum-chicken?" he didn't get to think long as a blade of water came straight at his boat and knocked the net holding Appa loose.
Aang, Katara, and Dijin showed up then landing on a nearby branch as Aang saw his bison and shouted "Appa! Hang on buddy!" Aang then thrusted his fist forward blowing a nearby Swamp-bender away while also freeing a captured Momo.
After seeing everything happen one of the Swamp-benders shouted "We're under attack!" he then waved his arms in an arc while bending his wrists. Next the water around him became a wave and he sent it straight at the trio.
Katara being a Master Water-bender simply rushed forward and placed her hands in front of herself straight and pointed like a knife making the water split in two and disperse.
Katara looked at the swamp man in shock saying "Wait a second. You guys are Water-benders?"
The Swamp-bender who attacked them smiled as he witnessed Katara bend and said "No kidding? you too? That makes us kin." the man then held out his arms welcomely as Katara grimaced getting a good look at the man.
Like most of the swamp people around him he wore no shirt, he had wild and dirty black hair, he had a faded mustache, for pants he wore a handmade loincloth, and like everyone around him he chose to be bare-foot.
Katara smiled awkwardly at the man not really liking the idea of being considered kin in this circumstance.
Just then Sokka and their new companion showed up making the man they were talking to brighten up and say "Hey, Huu. How you been?"
The Gaang's new friend now named Huu just smiled wide saying "You know, scared some folks, swung some vines—the usual."
The Gaang just watched the exchange awkwardly before everyone settled down and things got explained.
After finding out Appa and Momo were friends of Aang and the others the Swamp-benders instantly let them go and offered them all a place to stay for the night and also serve them dinner.
So now the Gaang was sitting around a campfire with their hosts eating Possum-chicken and Beetle Kabobs.
As the Gaang ate one of the Swamp-benders asked them "How do you like that Possum-Chicken?"
Dijin spoke first saying "Not bad actually. Reminds me of the chicken King Bumi would serve during his feasts."
Sokka just took a big bite out his meat before saying "It tastes just like Arctic-Hen to me." Sokka then looked at the swamp-benders curiously saying "So why were you guys interested in eating Appa anyway? You've got plenty of those big things running around." Sokka then pointed to a Cat-Gator who was right next to the swamp-bender.
The man just chuckled and said "Who? old slim? Why he's like a member of the family." The bender then took some meat off his stick and gave it to the animal who it ate happily.
Sokka trying to be nice threw a beetle at the Cat-Gator saying "Nice Slim."
The Cat-Gator however, just swiped the Beetle away before growling at Sokka showing his sharp teeth making the warrior jump back a bit.
The Swamp-bender laughed at the exchange saying "Slim don't eat bugs that's people food."
Sokka looked at the two saying "Riiiiight." Sokka then went back to eating and said "Well, at least we can all agree now that nothing strange was going on here—just a bunch of greasy people living in a swamp."
Dijin looked at his friend and said "But Sokka we all saw something in the swamp-."
Dijin was cut off as Katara pointed at the Earth-bender with a smirk saying "Aha! So, what did you see then, Dijin?"
Dijin's face once again turned red before he looked away awkwardly and said "I saw a girl like Aang and that's all I'm going to say about it."
Katara just continued to smirk at the embarrassed Earth-bender before she looked at her brother saying "Dijin has a point Sokka, how do you explain what we all saw?"
Sokka just simply answered "I told you: we were hungry." He then held up a giant dead wasp and said "I'm eating a giant bug for spirit's sake!" he quickly took a huge a bite out of the insect before chewing and swallowing.
It was Aang's turn to disagree with Sokka saying "But what about when the tree showed me where Appa and Momo were?"
Sokka just waved him off saying "That's Avatar stuff it doesn't count." Sokka then looked over at Huu and said "The only thing I can't figure out is how you made the tornado that sucked us down."
Huu just looked at Sokka like he was crazy saying "I can't do anything like that. I just bend the water in the plants."
Sokka just shrugged his shoulders saying "Well, no accounting for weather. Still, there's absolutely nothing mystical about the swamp."
The others just looked at Sokka with frowns at his close-minded view of the world while unbeknownst to them the screaming bird from before was about to scare them again. That was until a tree branch bitch slapped the bird to another part of the swamp before returning to its normal resting place.